Identifying means for photographic films



Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,621

B. A. SLOCUM IDENTIFYING MEANS FOR PHOTOG'RAPHIG FILMS Filed Jan. 28. 1927 uuuunuutfdnu non88uunuuou W/ ////////4z1 K m ///ZZA UUOUDOUUUU DUDDUUDUOUUUU INVENTOR BENJAWN H SLOCUN. 7

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. l5, 1927. I umrso STATES- v 1,649,621 PATENT OFFICE IIBEIF'JI'AIIIIN A. SLOCUH, OF BINGHAHTON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO ANSCO PHOTO- PRODUGTS, INC., 01? BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK.

IDENTIFYING MEANS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

Application filed January 28, 1927. Serial No. 164,263.

It is desirable in the 'manufacture of photographic film, particularly motion. p cture film, that the same be provided at the factory with footage indications, preferably the strips of film being numbered consecutively from zero to any given number, these footage indications usually being positioned onthe film between the extreme edge thereof and the perforations.

- These numbers, of course, must be placed on the film insuch a manner as to be readily readable when the film is developed and must also, of course, be of such character that neither the numbers themselves nor the method of putting them on will in any way injure the sensitized film for picture taking.

I have devised a novel form of providing motion picture film with these footage numbers which fulfills all the above requirements, which form the objects of this 1nvention.

Other objects and advantages in details of form and arrangement will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference now being had to the figures of the drawlng wherein like reference-numerals indicate likeparts.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a detail plan view of a portion of a strip of motion picture film provided with the footage numbers in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a detail cross section, greatly enlarged, and taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating the numbers after the film has been developed.

Figure 4.- is a detail enlarged view of one of such numbers on the film.

The reference numeral 1 refers to a strip of sensitized motion picture film provided with the usual perforations 2. Between the perforations and one edge of the film, I place the footage indications ornumbers 3 by stamping or cutting such numbers into the film to a depth equal to the thickness of the sensitized emulsion 4 carried by the film base 5 on the back of which may be the usual gelatine back coating 6 (see Fi These numbers 3 may be cut into 1; e emulsion 4 by means of a steel die or other device of any desired or suitable construction and the cutting operation may be assisted by the application of heat to the die if de;

'- The numbers 3'thus sired. Thisnumbering device is not shown 1n the drawings as-it forms no part of this application and may be of any practical such numbers chan in consecutivel with each foot of film so Elafilred. I y

of the film are of course visible to the eye at all times, but in order to render them more discernible and clear, after the film has been developed I prefer to expose that portion of the film bearing the numbers as y. means of a light flash which serves to fog thefilm emulsion around such numbers whereby upon development of the film, the numbers will be located within the dark field caused by such flash, thus causing the numbers to stand out in clear relief against the dark back ground. Figure 3 shows the film 1 as developed with the flashed portion 7 around the numbers 3.

The apparatus and method for flashing be of any desired character and ma be readily accomplished by a light and shutter arrangement (not shown) attached for operatlon to the usual perforator through WhlCh the film l is run for perforation, or to other desired apparatus used in the processing of the film. The flash, of oourse, is properly masked in order that the light will got ezirpose the film other than at the num-- ers From the foregoing, it will be clear that I have provided a photographicmotion picture film with visible footage numbers which are visible both before and after development of the film and in addition have provlded means for rendering the numbers very clear and discernible. after development.

out in the emulsion The dark flashed portions 7 about the num 5 a strip of sensitized film provided wit footage indications cut into the surface of said film, said film being light fogged around said indications.

' 2. An article of manufacture comprising 10 a sensitized film provided with footage indications adjacent one edge thereof, said indications being cut into the surface of said film whereby they are visible at all times,

said film being light fogged around said numbers whereby upon development, said indications are provided with a dark back ground.

3. An article of manufacture comprising a strip of, sensitized-motion picture film perforated adjacent its edges, footage numbers cut into the surface of said film between said perforations and one edge of the film, said film being light fogged around each number only.

BENJAMIN A. VSLOCUM. 

